Igor Hernandez is back to full fitness for the start of the World Tour

Caracas, Venezuela, April 18, 2014 – Venezuela’s number one pair, and London 2012 Olympians, Igor Hernandez and Jesus Villafane will reunite on the court at the Fuzhou Open, the first tournament on the 2014 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.

The duo missed the last three legs of the South American Tour. Hernandez was struggling with a knee injury, so Villafane teamed up with Jackson Henriquez while he recuperated. Now that Hernandez is fit again, they are due to play in Fuzhou from April 22 to 27 and at the Shanghai Grand Slam from April 29 to May 4.

“My recovery has been slow because I had trouble with my knee at certain times,” Hernandez said. “Now I have had three weeks training and playing with my teammate, so I am ready to resume my commitment to my country in future competitions.”

The pair have become one of the most popular pairings on the World Tour and as well as their appearance at London 2012, they also competed with distinction at the 2013 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships, where they qualified for the first knockout round.

At 27 years old, Villafane is the younger of the two by 10 years and continues to learn from Hernandez, the more senior of the pair.

“Hernandez is a player on the pitch who inspires trust and confidence and is a great coach, athlete and friend," he said. "I hope this coming year he stays injury free."